Allen Parish schools receive grant money for music education

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – Kinder and Oakdale High Schools will receive some much-needed funding for their band programs.

Students are enthusiastic about the opportunities this money offers.

“Music as a whole is truly an integral part of Oakdale and our community, and with this grant it is going to make it so much easier and help us use our voices so much better to represent Oakdale,” said Oakdale High drum major Shelby Domingue.

Money from the Education Excellence Fund, or EEF grant, can be used to finance new percussion and low brass instruments.

“For example, a low brass instrument normally costs about five to six thousand dollars. For concert size tubas, you’ll pay about nine to twelve thousand dollars,” said Warrior Band director Tim Vasquez.

Vasquez said this grant will also help Oakdale Middle School’s band program.

He said the more young students are interested, the more likely they are to continue on to high school, ultimately growing their entire band program.

“Especially with a small band like this, the financial aspect is very important. Many people have a passion for an instrument that they want to play, but sometimes cannot play it. And with this grant, that problem will disappear for a while,” Domingue said.

Domingue said music has impacted his life forever and hopes this grant will impact even more lives.

“I feel like music is one of the most important skills anyone can learn today. People don’t really realize that music is such a big part of life,” said Jeremiah Deville, a Kinder High band student.

At Kinder High, the marching band is having a big win and hopes that this grant money will continue to grow their success and their bond.

“When I was a freshman we had about 20 people in the band, and now it’s almost 50, so if we want to keep that growth going even after I’m gone, we need this grant money,” the band said . student Matthew Courville.

“I just love these people so much, and it’s so nice to see people getting opportunities that I didn’t get as a freshman. As a freshman this year, they had to win state, and I didn’t do that,” added band member Leah Lovett.

Senior band members and band director Jordan Moore say the growth they have seen in this program over the past few years is inspiring.

“You know, it’s hard to have a big band in a small school; it’s hard to compete. But to still have that music or something, and that’s what our superintendent is trying to do, to get music as a foundation for our students,” Moore shares.

Both band directors said they have received a great response from their governments and communities.

A portion of the grant money will also go toward purchasing drums for Oberlin High.

Superintendent Brad Solieau said the plan is to start a drumline there next year.

These grants are provided by the Louisiana Department of Education.

To find out more about how your school can apply for such an award, click here here.